Moving Towards an Indigenous Research Process: A Reflexive Approach to Empirical Work With First Nations Communities in Canada

Abstract

Moving towards reconciliation within Indigenous research requires the careful examination of existing practices at all stages of the research process. Engagement in and dissemination of reflexive processes may increase the relevance of research results for Indigenous communities and partners. This article describes and contextualizes the results obtained from this qualitative research study examining parenting needs and child reunification in these communities. The initial results were deemed relevant by the partnering community but research stakeholders reported that they did not reflect all community values. Based on the advice of the Research Advisory Group, the research team decided to further analyze the results to address these shortcomings. The reanalysis process focused on improving the perceived meaningfulness and relevance to communities. Exploration of how these results were re-situated in an Indigenous framework of wellbeing is discussed. Researcher reflections about the project processes and considerations for future research are explored.

Substance Use Research with Indigenous Communities: Exploring and Extending Foundational Principles of Community Psychology

“…Indeed, a key aspiration for each of the seven studies was guidance by the particular needs and conceptual frameworks of partner communities, rather than starting with and relying upon academic constructs alone. This aspiration underscores the importance of community partnership and cultural humility among both Indigenous and non‐Indigenous researchers (see Dickerson et al., ; Hartmann, Wendt, Saftner, Marcus, & Momper, ; Rasmus, Trickett, Charles, John, & Allen, ; Toombs et al., ).…”

“…For example, the field of CP could be helpful through the development of measures of cultural continuity, community effects of colonization, and the role of spirituality in individual and community wellness, as well through the development of methods for analyzing small samples and innovative quasi‐experimental research design alternatives to RCTs. It may also be useful to develop CP research guidelines for working with Indigenous Peoples in particular; we recommend, however, for guidelines to be flexible in order to emphasize and empower the leadership of diverse local communities (see Blue Bird Jernigan et al., ; Toombs et al., ). Finally, Indigenous SU studies could potentially benefit from a hallmark of ecological thinking in CP: greater attention to and advocacy for structural, systems‐level change (e.g., Worton et al., ).…”

Will Indigenous Ecological Knowledge Vanish? Assessing Persistence of the Celako kemali in Farming Practices among the Serawainese in Bengkulu, Indonesia

“…The study of Indigenous Peoples' knowledge primarily aims to determine the unique manner in which Indigenous Peoples acquire information through oral traditions. As a result, indigenous research employs several methodologies to collect data regarding indigenous cultural practices, including storytelling, yarning, narrative speaking and re-telling (Drawson et al, 2017;Kovach, 2010Kovach, , 2019Kovach, , 2020Toombs et al, 2019). For example, Kovach (2010Kovach ( , 2019Kovach ( , 2020 argues that the conversational method aligns with the Indigenous worldview, emphasizing oral as a mode of imparting information and relational values to sustain collectivist customs.…”

“…The study employed a group approach to collect data in the second stage using sharing-talking circles, focused group discussion, and storytelling (Drawson et al, 2017;Kovach, 2019bKovach, , 2020Toombs, 2019). The author separated the participants into groups, each with 10 to 15 persons.…”

Psychopathology in the Offspring of Indigenous Parents with Mental Health Challenges: A Systematic Review: Psychopathologie des descendants de parents autochtones ayant des problèmes de santé mentale: Une revue systématique

“…12,19 Indigenous research priorities and input need to be valued, honored, and protected. 20 Given this background, the aim of this systematic review was to examine emotional and behavioral functioning in the offspring of Indigenous parents with mental health challenges.…”